More than 87% of Romanians living in urban areas plan to buy St. Nicholas gifts for their loved ones, according to a study by Mednet Marketing Research Center.

The study was made online between November 23 and November 29, and is based on the answers of 812 people aged 18-65.

Sweets remained the Romanians’ preferred gifts, with 70.4% of respondents saying they would offer them as gifts this year, followed by toys – 48.2%, and clothing/footwear - 41.7%, according to the study quoted by local Mediafax. Romanians also plan to offer fruits, cosmetics, books, jewelry and accessories, design items and smartphones/tablets, with some also thinking to give electronic and home appliances or event money as gifts.

The average budget allocated for St. Nicholas gifts amounts to RON 345.26 (some EUR 74), the same study showed. And although the year 2018 brought salary increases, especially in the public sector, the average amount allocated to St. Nicholas gifts did not increase compared to last year (the average budget stood at RON 340.92 in 2017).

Romanians named Nicolae and Nicoleta, or derivatives of these names, celebrate their name day on St. Nicholas Day, on December 6.

Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com